Northern State Prison Officer Charged with Bribery and Contraband Smuggling

Christopher Santana, 32, of Hackensack, allegedly accepted $2,000 in bribes to bring tobacco, liquids, and other banned items into Newark facility

A senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark has been charged with multiple offenses for allegedly accepting bribes and attempting to smuggle contraband into the facility, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Christopher Santana, 32, of Hackensack, was arrested and charged with third-degree contraband, second-degree bribery in official and political matters, and second-degree official misconduct. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability’s (OPIA) Corruption Bureau and the Department of Corrections’ Special Investigations Division (SID).

Authorities allege Santana received approximately $2,000 in bribes from associates of inmates since at least May 2024. On June 10, 2025, while reporting for duty, Santana was reportedly found with two vacuum-sealed bags containing suspected tobacco and three bottles of an unidentified liquid concealed under his protective vest and near his upper thigh.

Subsequent inmate searches linked to the case revealed a cellphone, suspected marijuana, pills believed to be controlled substances, and more tobacco. Santana was taken into custody on June 11 and appeared before the Superior Court in Essex County. He was released with conditions barring contact with witnesses or co-conspirators.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated, “As alleged, this officer violated his duty to secure Northern State Prison, putting personal profit above his obligations and the safety of inmates and his fellow corrections officers.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Wellbrock and Deputy Attorney General Samantha Eaton, under the supervision of the OPIA Corruption Bureau and its leadership.

If convicted, Santana faces up to 10 years in prison for each second-degree charge and up to five years for the third-degree charge. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.